7 Nostalgic '90s Brands You're About To See Everywhere Again

By Heather Bien

First it was the '60s, then the '70s, then the '80s. Now the '90s are back. The warm, layered, quaint nostalgia is finding its way back into our homes and wardrobe with everything from lovely Laura Ashley prints to vintage Vera Bradley bags.

Maggie Delahoyde, owner of Lowery's Dial, a vintage and gift shop in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, is seeing this draw towards the '90s in her shop where books from Martha Stewart and Mary Engelbreit fly off the shelves, and shoppers gravitate towards '90s kitchen items like quirky items with geese or fruit and charming floral prints are the hot items.

"Beautiful cozy nostalgia that is less about trend cycling and more about emotional return to a simpler time. The '90s felt optimistic, layered, personal, and classic," says Delahoyde. "We’re subconsciously recreating the warmth we remember from childhood and want again in our grown-up lives."

It's an escape from minimalism and a return to analog. "People are craving THINGS again!," says Delahoyde. "Interiors were floral, skirted, braided, wallpapered, and optimistically sweet."

Want to look for specific brands that are channeling the '90s? Here are seven '90s brands that are seeing a resurgence both in thrift shops and on social media alike.

Laura Ashley

From matching mommy-and-me dresses to floral bedspreads, Laura Ashley was the brand of the 1980s and early '90s. The darling florals are instantly recognizable, and the ruffles and pastel colors feel like a hug from the past. "This look, with its English-country charm, is seeing a resurgence as people embrace cozy, vintage-inspired interiors and charming touches," says Cait Barker is the co-founder of vintage and home retailer Bessette.

Laura Ashley is big on the thrifting scene and TikTok is all over the look, but the brand is still channeling those vintage vibes today. Helen Ashmore, head of design at Laura Ashley, explains, "On the design team, we are always returning to the archive, taking inspiration from it and reimagining heritage prints and patterns with a fresh lens for today's customer."

Mary Engelbreit

You've probably heard the saying "life is just a bowl of cherries." Back in the '90s, artist Mary Engelbreit reinterpreted that as "life is just a chair of bowlies," and kicked off an iconic brand of whimsical illustrations and clever quotes. Her style is instantly recognizable, with vibrant, warm colors offset by high contrast black and white checkerboard patterns.

The upbeat and quirky illustrations were seen on everything from books to stationery to prints and home goods. She's still a working artist today, but it's these 1990s classics that are seeing a resurgence among a younger generation.

Vera Bradley

Vera Bradley is still putting out new lines, but it's their classic '90s Provençal-inspired prints that have the hearts of vintage shoppers (though their most recent collections have started to resemble earlier days!). TikTok hauls of 30-year-old Vera Bradley bags discovered at thrift stores have driven the increase in popularity so next time you think about donating your old Chanticleer duffel with its darling roosters or your cheerful yellow Elizabeth tote, think again.

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart published her first cookbook in the 1980s, but her reign as the cookbook queen continued well into the 1990s (and today). From the Martha Stewart Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook to Menus for Entertaining, Delahoyde has seen more customers, both young and old, specifically seeking out these vintage Martha Stewart moments.

Barker explains that this could be because people are returning to entertaining at home and building comfortable, welcoming spaces. "Martha Stewart’s early home collections, including crisp linens, elegant dinnerware, and warm, inviting textiles, have made a comeback in homes everywhere as people prioritize high-quality pieces that are meant to be meant to be enjoyed daily, not just admired," says Barker.

Ralph Lauren

"Ralph Lauren is having a major resurgence, just look at Team USA's iconic Olympic outfits!," says Barker. It's preppy, polished and full of heritage Americana."

The '90s were some of Ralph Lauren's best years. It's when the brand was equal parts Western, equestrian, and classic red, white, and blue. Both the home and clothing had the same timeless style, and people are reaching for that look again today. Barker adds, "Ralph Lauren Home brings that same aesthetic into interiors with classic stripes and timeless blue and white porcelain."

Shabby Chic

Back in the 1990s, Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic was everywhere. From lines with Target to a flagship store and retail locations across the country, this romantic, country cottage look was just as likely to be found in a city apartment as a suburban home. And, while it fell out of favor when minimalism then maximalism took the stage, its cozy nostalgia is fueling a comeback that is, of course, starting on TikTok.

"Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic aesthetic defined '90s interiors with its soft pastels and layers of linen and lace," says Barker. "It was all about creating a lived-in, romantic look that felt effortless yet curated."

Longaberger Baskets

Delahoyde has seen an uptick in interest in large wicker baskets, which are as practically as they are pretty, and many of these baskets were made by a 1990s mainstay: Longaberger.

These American-made baskets had their heyday in the '90s, and they've trickled down to the thrift store scene, which means the younger generation is now picking them up—it's the cycle of secondhand use. "People want home accents that show craftsmanship, Longaberger baskets are pieces you’ll want to pass down for generations, so if you see one, grab it!," says Barker.

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